Does
Your Current Business Card Pass The
Trash Test?
Reach
in your wallet and pull out your
business card. Your Small Business
Information
guide has put together the business
card test. Learn if your business
card will
pass or be trashed.
Size: Does
your business card conform to the
traditional size of 3.5" by
2"? Anything greater will
not fit in wallets or most business
card
holders.
End result = trash.
Paper
Quality: Is your card of professional
quality or is it
flimsy with perforated
edges? Cheap cards are trashed.
Ink: Put
a few drops of liquid on your business
card. If the ink runs,
it's in
the trash.
Color
Test: Colorful cards
can add to your professional
image.
Too much
color
can be detracting if the
layout is tacky. Trash your card
if it is black and
white
or has
more than
3-4 colors unless a photograph or graphic
image is used.
Message: Your business card should clearly
tell people
what you
do and offer a meaningful
benefit. No message adds
confusion so your card
ends up in the
trash.
Image
Match: Your business
card should match your
business image.
If you're
a designer than the card
should be creative. If
you are a doctor, your card should
be clean and concise. If your card
is out of synch with your
image, time to toss it.
Font
Size: Is your card
crammed with information? Appropriately
placed space on the card
will make it easier
to absorb your message.
If you have
a lot to say,
add it to the
back of the business
card. Is the print
so tiny you
have too
squint, or use a magnifying
glass to see it?
Then this one too is
heading for the trash.
Contact
Information: Your
clients or potential clients
should
have as many
means as possible
to contact you based on
their preference.
Your
card should
include as many of
the means as possible: address, voicemail,
cell phone, phone, fax, email, and
website.
Lack of contact
information
puts your card in
the trash.
You
only have one chance to make
a great first
impression. Make
sure you invest
in the best business
cards you can afford.
The card
is
your
introduction to
a client, for the low
cost per
card that is
money well spent. |